The most extravagant Miss Marple, of all the performers who ever embodied the image invented by Agatha Christie, is considered to be the British actress, winner of the Oscar, who has struggled with depression throughout her life and until the end of her days.
Margaret Rutherford played the role of an eccentric old lady, easily unraveling the most incredible crimes in four feature films released for rent from 1961 to 1964. In the film "Murders by Alphabet" (1965), she appeared in a cameo.
Early biography
Margaret Rutherford was born on May 11, 1892 in the family of William Benn and Florence Nicholson. Nine years before the birth of the girl, her father, suffering from dementia, killed her grandfather. Up to three years, the girl’s family lived in India, but after the suicide of her mother Margaret was placed under the care of her aunt and returned to the UK.
The girl received a brilliant education at high school in Wimbledon. A small legacy allowed Margaret to pay for several acting classes and become a member of the Old Vic theater troupe. There she participated in several Shakespearean productions: "The Merchant of Venice", "Measure for Measure" and "The Taming of the Shrew." In cinema, she made her debut in the mid-30s of the last century, already in adulthood.
The most eccentric miss marple
Lady Rutherford first appeared on the big screen as Miss Marple at the age of 69. The audience, accustomed to the early images of the venerable prim stiff lady from a quiet English province, was struck on the spot by a brisk, energetic lady with a stranglehold. Agatha Christie herself was indignant at such a free interpretation of the image of her heroine, but, having met with the actress, changed her anger to mercy. The writer even dedicated her new novel to her new acquaintance, entitled “The Mirror Cracked,” in which she intentionally adjusted Miss Marple’s behavioral characteristics to Margaret Rutherford. A. Christie maintained a warm relationship with her throughout her life.
As a result, the singer’s filmography contains four tapes (“She said: murder”, “After the funeral”, “The most terrible murder”, “Hey, murder!”), In which she shone in the image of Miss Marple.
The charismatic Margaret Rutherford captivated not only Agatha Christie with her talent and charm. In 1961, she was awarded the title of Officer of the British Empire, and five years later she was given the rank of cavalier lady.
Detective tapes were not the only ones on her track record. The role of Princess Brighton in the film "Very Important Persons" earned her a nomination for the Golden Globe and Oscar. Not the last place in the filmography of Margaret Rutherford is played by the films "I'm OK, Jack!", "Innocent in Paris", "Falstaff" and "Countess from Hong Kong."
Personal life
In 1945, the actress was led down the aisle by colleague Stringer Davis. The couple often starred together. In total, they took part in the creation of 27 television and film projects. The couple decided not to have children. Despite a strong maternal instinct and great love for children, Margaret was afraid that her child might inherit a psychiatric illness, like her parents.
With her cousin, the famous English politician Tony Benn, the actress practically did not communicate.
last years of life
Unfortunately, the actress began to suffer early from bouts of Alzheimer's disease. Due to memory lapses, she was removed from a number of film projects and could no longer act in films. She died of pneumonia on May 22, 1972 and was buried in the churchyard in Gerrads Cross. Her relatives, friends and colleagues gathered at the memorial service. Among those present were John Gilgud, Flora Robson, Ralph Richardson, Joyce Grenfell and Sybil Thorndike.
Her husband passed away after a year and a half and was buried next to his wife.